College Fraternities Going Coed

February 21, 1985|Special to the Sun-Sentinel

While traditionalists shudder, coed frats like Chi Omega Rho provide a friendly retreat from the battle of the sexes.

For more than 150 years fraternity members have gathered on weekends to ``pound a few brews with the `brothers.` `` The tradition continues, but with a modern twist. Some of the ``brothers`` may be wearing skirts.

The long arm of the women`s movement has grabbed hold of college campuses and shaken the foundation of one of the oldest and most formidable of collegiate institutions: the single-sex fraternity.

Coed fraternities are flourishing on campuses across the country.

``It`s a reflection of real life. Today, more than ever, men and women are working together, learning together, spending more time together,`` says Karleton Fambrough, assistant director of student activities at Columbia University in New York City.

``It`s a natural sense of community,`` echoes LeAnn Tavatigian, president of Chi Omega Rho at Columbia. ``Coed fraternities have a different atmosphere. We`re very close and homey but we encourage individuality.``

Chi Omega Rho -- the Greek letters stand for ``coed option on the row`` -- has become the trailblazer for coed frats. Representatives from Colgate and Northwestern universities met at Columbia last Thanksgiving to draw up a national constitution. Until then, the three chapters functioned as a loose confederation.

``We wanted to find out how the other chapters conducted their affairs, and bring uniformity to the national organization. Most important, we wanted to take the proper steps to become a recognized alternative within the Greek system,`` says Tavatigian of the meeting.

The fraternity has been denied affiliation with the National Interfraternity Conference since, by charter, it is dedicated to men`s fraternities.